iPad Air goes on sale (pictures)

Sydney shoppers

Friday, November 1, marks the first day that consumers can get their hands on Apple's iPad Air. In keeping with tradition on launch days for new iPads and iPhones, consumers lined up early to be on hand when Apple Store doors opened. Here you see the start of the line at the Apple Store in Sydney.

iPads on display

The iPad Air is Apple's fifth version of its market-defining tablet, the first of which was released more than three years ago. Has the excitement faded over time? At Apple's store in Sydney, the line -- several hundred strong -- was significantly shorter than it was for the new iPhones that arrived a few weeks ago. Apple typically puts up barriers for crowd control at that store, but not this time around.

Apple Store Sanlitun

A continent away at Apple's Sanlitun store in Beijing, all was peaceful for the arrival of the iPad Air. The new tablet is going on sale in 42 countries on day one, the most widespread launch yet for one of Apple's tablets.